Tool kits

If you’re planning to build up a tool kit from scratch, it’s worth looking at the complete sets many manufacturers now produce. As well as providing most of the items you’ll need for day-to-day use, without the hassle of choosing and shopping around, these packages give you a serious price discount.

Complete tool sets cost only a little bit more than a comprehensive socket set. Yet you’ll get spanners, screwdrivers, hex keys and numerous other commonly used tools thrown in as well. What’s more, a decent case is normally provided, too.

So how do the tool manufacturers do it? Well, it would be nice to think that the appealing prices are down to nothing more than bulk buying. In other words, you get a hefty discount because you’re purchasing such a lot of kit in one go.

But cynics could suggest that many of these sets are loaded with unpopular kit which you’ll probably never use. And the quality may suffer compared to ordinary dedicated tools from the same brands.

In this test, we aim to find the best usable kits. By this, we mean the tools supplied should be relevant for car use, and of a decent quality. But, as always, value for money has to be taken into consideration.

Verdict

Halfords’ 127-Piece Tool Kit is our winner, as it offers the best blend of quality, price and relevant contents. In second place, Kamasa’s trolley-based 55718 takes our Recommended award for its high-quality contents, ease of movement, and a comprehensive selection of spanners, screwdriver bits and socket sizes. In the final podium posi­tion is the Sealey AP9243 Combo 6. Although the carry case leaves a great deal to be desired, most of the tools supplied are relevant and feel durable.